City 4 West Brom 2
April 19th 2009 att.40,072
After the banana strewn atmosphere of Thursday's European game the tired City team were faced with a West Brom side desperate to avoid the drop into the Championship. West Brom did not come with defensive intent and we had a great open game with plenty of end to end stuff. They played better than many visiting clubs and were a little unlucky not to go away with a point. City move to tenth in their battle to reach 7th position and still have an outside chance of making it. Elano continued his recent form , Robinho scored a great volley from a good pass from a revitalized Ireland. This was Robinho's first goal of 2009! Caicedo was only once caught offside - wonder of wonder . Obviously writing out a 1000 lines 'I must not get offside' after Thursday must have worked! Onuoha was the pick of the defence. City ended the game with ten men Zabaleta going off injured in the late stages. With no mid week game City have a well earned breather before the away game at Goodison Park.
Team
Given 7: Zabaleta 6, Dunne 5.5, Onuoha 7.5, Bridge 6: De Jong 7, Kompany 7, Ireland 7.5, Elano 8 ( Fernandes 6) Robinho 7.5 (Petrov) Caicedo 6 (Sturridge 6)
A small band of florescent yellow hats were early in their seats to enjoy the sunshine
City were still missing SWP and Bellamy and there was sign of no Bojinov.
The Baggies were soon on the attack and Kompany and co were kept busy in the early minutes
Robinho had an early effort after 5 minutes but his effort lacked power and direction to beat Carson
A minute or o later a great inter passing movement ended with a good cross ball from Ireland reaching Robinho who hit it on the volley past Carson to give City the lead
It was his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Blackburn in late December
West Brom went near in the 10th minute following a free kick - Olsson going near with a header
Following a punch out by Given at a corner a cross by Greening gave Meite a gift but he put the ball wide.
A lucky escape for City
A good through ball by Robinho gave Caicedo a chance but his finish is weak and misdirected
A corner to City is partially cleared but the ball drops.......
....... for Neddy Onuoha to head into goal. Carson claimed he was blocked by Caicedo but I think he just stood his ground
While Onuoha goes to thank Elano for the corner and no doubt celebrate his second goal of the season Carson was being booked for his over zealous moan about the award of the goal
Just after the 30 minute mark a poor punch by Given leaves him out of position as the ball is headed back at goal by Koren......
..... but Caicedo heads off the line to save the blues
But it was not long before West Brom struck with a good move down the left.........
.....which ended with a layoff by Fortune giving Brunt a chance to beat Given with ease.
The City defence failed to close him down
The West Brom supporters enjoyed the moment and is that Frank Skinner in disguise!
A Fortune cross is blocked by Onuoha
de Jong clears spectacularly from Morrison
Carson forced to save a header from Caicedo just before half time with the score at 2-1 to City
Good defending by City early in the second half kept West Brom at bay, particularly a last ditch tackle by Dunne
Robinho missed a good chance after 52 minutes putting the ball wide when well placed
Two minutes later West Brom get a free kick well out on the right flank......Brunt takes the kick and somehow....
...the ball evades everybody and goes in with Given beaten
2-2 and the visiting fans are in 7th heaven - oh and Frank has lost the pink pullover!
They were soon silenced moments later when Bridge went on a long run before passing to Elano who was tripped by Olsson.....
......Elano goes down and the referee awards a penalty.
Elano sent the keeper the wrong way to score his 7th goal of the season
Back in front so soon City supporters had much to celebrate especially with Elano continuing his good form
City are forced to defend Olsson heading over at a corner
another spectacular clarence by de Jong
An Elano shot is saved by Carson
City defence stand firm under West Brom pressure --20 minutes to go
Greening battles with first Ireland and then Kompany, the latter getting a yellow card for his trouble
A shot by Fortune is saved by Given
With 5 minutes to go Petrov on for Robinho sends in a free kick and Kompany finds the net but the goal is ruled out for a foul
With West Brom pressing at one end a City break gave Sturridge ( on for Caicedo) a golden opportunity to score. Alas he failed to take the opportunity but all was not lost - moments later.......
......Ireland broke down the left and gave Sturridge another easy chance which he took with ease to make it 4-2